Apparatus and method for transecting tissue on a bipolar vessel sealing instrument

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue is adapted to include a pair of movable jaw members that cooperate to grasp tissue. At least one of the jaw members has a blade channel defined therein configured for sliding reception of a surgical blade assembly, the blade channel including a plurality of troughs and a blade body having a plurality of cutting elements extending therealong, each of the cutting elements including a cutting edge extendable into the blade channel and a flange extending into each of the troughs. The blade body is selectively movable from a first position wherein the cutting edges of the cutting elements are spaced relative to the blade channel and the flanges are rest within the troughs to at least one second position wherein the cutting edges extend within the blade channel.

1. An electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
 a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; 
 each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to connect to an energy source and configured to communicate energy through tissue held therebetween; and 
 at least one of the jaw members having a blade channel defined therein configured for sliding redemption of a surgical blade assembly, the blade channel including a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of troughs positioned therebetween, wherein the blade assembly includes:
 a blade body having a plurality of cutting elements extending therealong, each of said cutting elements including a cutting edge and a flange opposite the cutting edge, said blade body being selectively movable from a first position wherein said cutting edges of said cutting elements are recessed within said blade channel such that said cutting edges are positioned below the electrically conductive sealing plate and said flanges rest within corresponding troughs to at least one second position wherein said cutting edges are positioned above said electrically conductive sealing plate and into tissue grasped between the jaw members. 
 
 
   
   
     2. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said troughs include an inclined surface such that movement of said blade body causes said flange to ride along said inclined surface to move said blade body towards the second position. 
   
   
     3. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said troughs is dimensioned such that movement of said blade body causes said flange to move said cutting edge in at least one predetermined direction. 
   
   
     4. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said troughs includes a bottom surface and a corresponding flange of said cutting element is dimensioned to include a surface which matingly engages said bottom surface of said trough. 
   
   
     5. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said troughs includes a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being dimensioned to move said flange in a first direction upon movement of the blade body relative to the blade channel and a second surface dimensioned to move said flange in a second direction upon movement of the blade body relative to the blade channel. 
   
   
     6. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the flanges and their respective troughs are in sliding communication so that movement of the flanges in a linear direction along a length of the blade channel directs the cutting elements to move in at least one direction relative to the blade channel. 
   
   
     7. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge of the cutting element is substantially curved. 
   
   
     8. An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge of the cutting element is substantially straight. 
   
   
     9. A method of cutting tissue comprising:
 providing an electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising:
 a pair of jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; 
 each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to connect to an energy source and configured to communicate energy through tissue held therebetween; and 
 at least one of the jaw members having a blade channel defined therein configured for sliding reception of a surgical blade assembly, the blade channel including a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of troughs positioned therebetween, the blade assembly includes:
 a blade body having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and having a plurality of cutting elements extending therealong, each of said cutting elements including a cutting edge and an opposing flange, said blade body being selectively movable from a first position wherein said cutting edges of said cutting elements are entirely recessed within said blade channel and said opposing flanges rest within corresponding troughs to at least one second position wherein said cutting edges extend beyond said blade channel and into tissue grasped between the jaw members; 
 
 
 positioning the jaw members about tissue; and 
 moving the blade body in at least one direction such that at least one of said flanges rides along a respective trough and extends said cutting edges of said cutting elements into and through said tissue. 
 
   
   
     10. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein dimensions of the flange and the trough move the cutting edges of the cutting elements in a substantially angled manner relative to the blade channel. 
   
   
     11. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the dimensions of the flange and the trough move the cutting edges of the cutting elements in a first direction relative to the blade channel to perforate the tissue and then in a second direction to cut the tissue.